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RHEA HAD JUST PLACED her order—she really should not love those onion rings as much as she did—when the front doors opened and her sweet little almost grandbaby came in. It took Rhea a moment to figure out which twin it was, but chances were good the woman with Ivy was Perci.
She looked back at the diner’s second generation owner. “Theirs is on me, too.”
“Of course. That’s a pretty little thing there.”
She’d known the woman behind the counter since they were girls together. Florence should have long retired by now, but she was a stubborn one. Her business was her life—her business and the daughter and granddaughter who now helped her run it.
Rhea understood. The hospital had been her purpose, too.
That, and raising those boys of hers with Daniel.
“That’s my new grandbaby, Flo.” Rhea had already snapped half a dozen pictures of Ivy to share with her closest friends when she saw them.
“Heard that may be your new daughter-in-law soon, too.”
“Oh, I’m planning to make sure that happens. She’s a real sweetheart. Just like her sisters.” Perci might be a bit sassier than her sisters, but Rhea thought that was just the child’s way of hiding more insecurities than Perci wanted to admit to.
“They always were good girls. Shame what happened to their mama. And everything that’s happened since. They deserve a bit of a good break now. Saw the way that last boy of yours was eying her the other day. He’s a handful, I bet.”
“Perci can handle him. I have no doubt about that.”
She waited until Perci was closer. “Hi, honey. Ivy, come give Nana a hug and a kiss.”
“Nana, hug.” Ivy reached those little arms out to her, and Rhea took her. She smelled like clean baby and apple juice. A rush of love went through her. She’d spoken with Levi just that morning. He and Pan were ready and willing to do what they had to for this little one, too.
Or they had been until Nate had spoken with them both that morning while Perci had still been sleeping.
She smiled, thrilled to her toes at how wonderful her sons were.
Nate was going to move forward with adopting Ivy, as soon as she was freed for adoption. In the meantime, the little one was staying right where she was.
Becoming a Masterson.
It wasn’t how she’d expected to get her first grandbaby, but to Rhea it was perfect. Ivy was the grandchild of her heart. And she always would be. “There’s my baby girl. What are you doing today?”
“Mama Perci and Ivy go to the store. Then Pee-be.”
The bruises were fading. The girl’s eyes were brighter than they had been. The little pink top and white shorts were clean and neat. She was happy. The way a child should be. Rhea looked at Perci. “Where’s that son of mine?”
“Nate was called in to the hospital. He’ll be there most of the day, I think.”
Perci was still wary with her, but Rhea had her measure. That hiss and fire was used to hide the fear. She’d asked Levi point blank what had happened to their girls, and the stories he had told her had sickened her. To think that family had dealt with all of it alone like that.
It shouldn’t have been that way. Damn that Clive Gunderson for not being the man a sheriff should be.
Her son was a much better sheriff, hands down. And that wasn’t just mother pride talking. The way that Gunderson had abused his power—she wished there was a way to make that man pay for what he’d done to her girls.
She suspected this one was the one who needed to heal the most, even though Perci undoubtedly hid how hurt she actually was.
Levi had told her enough to raise her hair, hinting that what happened to Perci still remained a mystery.
Rhea resisted the urge to just hug her and tell her that her world was going to be a better place now. That Nate would fix everything he possibly could.
Hopefully Nate understood that as well. “And you and Miss Ivy?”
“We’re furniture shopping. We’re going to pick it out today and Nate’s going to swing by and pick it up on his way home.” Perci took Ivy back when the toddler reached for her. She quickly ordered, then looked at Rhea when the cashier told her the bill was on Rhea.
“It’s the least I can do for my new grandbaby.” And Ivy’s new mama. But Rhea kept that part to herself. Best not to rush things. Yet. Strategy was as much about timing as it was action. “Sit with me. Make me look like I’m not up to no good today.”
Perci smiled.
Such a beautiful girl. She and Nate would make beautiful, beautiful babies. Rhea bit back a smile, as she imagined it. All of her grandchildren would most likely look very similar. Rhea loved genetics. All the possibilities. She couldn’t wait to see how alike and how different those precious little ones would be. Seven more months and Pip and Matt would take care of the beginning of that for her.
She’d just focus on Ivy first. Give Nate and Perci a bit more time to make her third grandbaby on their own before she started pushing.
Pip and Matt and their future little one were enough to keep her busy for now. And Ivy.
“Come. Talk to this crazy old lady, Miss Ivy. Tell Nana all about Mama Perci and Daddy Nate.”
It sounded so perfect. She couldn’t have planned it any better.